RoadVitals

1994 BMW 318

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest May 23, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 17, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 BMW 318, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1040.0%
  • Airbags312.0%
  • Engine312.0%
  • Fuel system312.0%
  • Body & structure28.0%
  • Transmission14.0%
  • Visibility14.0%
  • Brakes14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V037000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Feb 17, 1994
23,500 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL OF THE TWO PIECE THROTTLE BODY HEATER MIGRATES INTO THE CIRCULATION CHAMBER CAUSING BUILD UP OF IMPURITIES AND RESTRICTION OF FLOW WITHIN THE CHAMBER. THIS CONDITION AND WATER VAPORS FROM THE CRANK THAT FREEZES AT LOW AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES PREVENTS THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM CLOSING AS THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.
The risk: IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 20
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 23, 2001

WATER DRAINED INTO ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING.ALSO, LEAVING FUEL INJECTORS OPEN, COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
888956
Electrical
Filed Jan 31, 2000

WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY DOWN POUR OR TAKING CAR TO THE CAR WASH, THE COMPUTER GETS WET WHICH WON'T ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAD THE COMPUTER REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
855790
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 1999

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MANY TIMES ( REPEATABLE ). I AM REALLY HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP ME TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW ACCURATE LEVEL OF THE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO TRY TACKLE THIS PROBLEM AND SOLVE THEM; HOWEVER, I AM STILL EXPERIENCING IT RIGHT NOW. IT'S A QUALITY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER FOR ME AND OTHER OWNER WHO MAY NOT WANT TO REPORT THIS MATTER TO YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
714908
Visibility
Filed May 18, 1999

BUMPER AROUND WINDSHIELD FLAKED OFF IN 3 YEARS. PRESENTLY, THE BUMPER IS GONE, AND WATER IS ENTERING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
838081
Incident
Jan 1, 1996
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 31, 1998

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

NHTSA ID
701752
Incident
Dec 31, 1998
Engine
Filed Nov 23, 1998

PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MUCH OF THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ONTO THE ROADWAY. OTHER GASKETS, ETC. ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED: VALVE COVER GASKETS, THERMOSTAT, INTAKE MANIFOLD GAS, THROTTLE BODY GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, CHAIN TENSIONER, AND MORE. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $950 IN LABOR AND $426.00 IN PARTS. IN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THE NHTSA WEB SITE, I FOUND MANY OTHER BMW 318 OWNERS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM; MOST OF THEM WITH 1993 MODELS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
700846
Incident
Nov 16, 1998
Electrical
Filed Oct 15, 1998

WATER LEAKING INTO THE E-BOX ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. BULLETIN 410393.

NHTSA ID
541985
Engine
Filed Jan 8, 1998

PROFILE GASKET FAILED, LEAKING ALL OF THE COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
533802
Incident
Jan 5, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

72/07/96

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW

MSG1016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

640594(4123)

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

RATCHETING/CLICKING NOISE FROM A/C COMPRESSOR AFTER TURN-OFF. *TW

720294(4138)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

UNKNOWN

720294(4138)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

INTERNAL SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN ZAE CONTROL MODULE CAUSING SRS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION. *TW

510894(4129)

DASH WARPING ABOVE CENTER VENT. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 318 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001600—
1998300—
1997500—
1996500—
1995190043.8
1994Viewing201042.1
1993172157.0
1992164253.7
1991213260.8
1990111—
1989011—
1988001—
1987001—
1986001—
1985222—
1984331—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.